Prior Learning Portfolio

Portfolio enables you to identify and document the college-level learning you have gained from your life experiences—through work (paid and volunteer), community or political activities, and other experiences outside the classroom—and gain credit for it.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Portfolio, you must

Complete a Portfolio application.

Meet basic standards in writing (either by having taken a college writing course or by qualifying for WRTG 101 on the writing placement test).

Be in good academic standing at UMUC (not on academic warning or probation).

Have submitted all transcripts, exam scores, and military documents related to coursework and experience to the Registrar’s Office for a review of transfer credit.

Applying for Portfolio

To apply, go to the student portal of MyUMUC and click on Student Center. Go to My Academics in the left panel (not the menu bar on top) and scroll down to Experiential Learning. Choose Apply for EXCL 301 (or Apply for EXCL 001, if you have already completed EXCL 301 successfully). Applications must be received no later than two weeks before the beginning of the semester to allow time for processing.

EXCL 301 and 001

Enrollment in EXCL 301 Learning Analysis and Planning is required. In this 3-credit course, you prepare a portfolio describing and documenting college-level learning gained from past experiences. Because EXCL 301 is a demanding and complex course, you should not register for more than one other course during the session in which you are enrolled in EXCL 301.

If you successfully complete EXCL 301 with a grade of S (satisfactory) and submit a portfolio for evaluation, you may enroll in a supplemental class (EXCL 001) to complete additional portfolios. EXCL 001 confers no credit and may not be applied toward degree completion. If you take this option, you may not target courses for which you were denied credit in EXCL 301.

Grading

EXCL 301 is graded on an S/D/F basis. If the quality of work in the portfolio merits a grade of C or higher, a grade of S is awarded and the portfolio is forwarded for credit evaluation. Faculty members from the appropriate disciplines assess the portfolio and recommend whether to award credits. Credit earned as a result of portfolio evaluation also earns a grade of S. The S grade is not computed in the grade point average and is not applicable toward honors.

If the quality of work in the portfolio merits a grade of D or lower, the portfolio will not be forwarded for credit evaluation.

Credit Awards

Experiential-learning credits may be awarded at both the upper and lower levels. Although a maximum of 30 credits may be earned through Portfolio, the average award is between 15 and 18 credits. These credits are considered UMUC resident credit. However, they do not fulfill requirements for standard graded coursework and so may not exceed half the total credits for a major, minor, or certificate.

Tuition and Fees

Credit for EXCL 301 is charged at the current tuition rate. Fees are also charged for enrollment in the program, portfolio evaluation, any additional evaluations, and credits awarded. Golden ID students and those receiving financial aid must pay all Portfolio fees.

Students should carefully review the requirements, rules, and procedures for Portfolio.

Contact Us

Contact the Prior Learning office by e-mail at priorlearning@umuc.edu or by phone at 800-888-UMUC, ext. 2-2890.